Cass County Connect

Cass County Judge

Travis Ransom

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Early voting for the March 3, 2026 Primary Election runs from Tuesday, February 17, 2026-Friday, February 27, 2026. Visit VoteTexas.gov for more election information.

Cass County Literacy Grants Support Community-Based Learning

Now in its fourth year, the Cass County Literacy Grant Program continues to support innovative, community- driven literacy initiatives that strengthen education, workforce readiness, and quality of life across the county.

The program is funded through unclaimed property capital credit funds authorized under Texas law and administered by the Cass County Judge’s Office with approval from the Commissioners Court. While funding levels vary annually, the program has been a consistent tool for reinvesting resources back into the community in ways that produce long-term public benefit. Under the Texas Local Government Code, these funds may be used to support comprehensive literacy programs that benefit county residents, among other eligible community and economic development purposes. The Literacy Grant Program allows the county to partner with libraries and community organizations to directly support literacy initiatives that serve residents of all ages.

2026 Literacy Grant Applications

This year, three applications were submitted for consideration, each reflecting a different but complementary approach to literacy and lifelong learning.

Hughes Springs Area Public Library applied for funding to support its growing teen literacy and engagement programs. Library staff report a significant increase in teen participation, with an average of 20 or more teens attending quarterly programs. Proposed activities include STEM-based learning, creative arts programming, and reading-centered events designed for youth ages 13 and older. Grant funds will be used to purchase books for the young adult section, acquire program supplies, and promote ongoing Teen Night programming in 2026.

Kildare Community Center proposed a hands-on literacy initiative titled “It All Starts With a Seed: Kildare Garden Literacy & Grow-Read Workshops.” The project connects reading, writing, and vocabulary development with practical gardening and food-growing skills. Using a children’s book as a central text, participants will engage in literacy activities such as journaling, labeling, and instructional reading tied to seasonal gardening workshops. Funds would support books, educational materials, printed resources, and program facilitation, with an emphasis on family participation and community wellness.

Investing in Literacy, Investing in Community Each of the proposed projects reflects the core goal of the Cass County Literacy Grant Program: supporting literacy in ways that are practical and rooted in local needs. Whether through libraries or community centers, these initiatives demonstrate how literacy development intersects with education, civic understanding, workforce preparation, and overall community strength.

Applications are reviewed by the Cass County Judge’s Office and presented to the Commissioners Court for consideration and approval, ensuring transparency and responsible use of public funds.

As the program enters its fourth year, Cass County remains committed to supporting literacy not as an abstract concept, but as a vital investment in people, opportunity, and the future of the community.

u See CCC page 12 This week’s Cass County Pioneer is Bessie Coleman. Elizabeth “Bessie” Coleman was born in Atlanta, Texas on January 26, 1892. When she was eighteen years old, Bessie left her one-room, segregated schoolhouse and attended the Oklahoma Colored Agricultural and Normal University (renamed Langston University following desegregation) in Langston, Oklahoma. However, college proved too expensive for Bessie, so after one term, she went home. She remained there until she was twenty-three years old, when she moved to Chicago, Illinois with her brothers. Bessie took a job as a manicurist at a barber shop, where pilots returning from WWI talked of their adventures flying in combat. Bessie knew she wanted to fly. She took on a second job to save money she needed to fund the pursuit of her dream.

When Bessie could not find anyone in the U.S. who was willing to teach an African American woman to fly, she went to France. There, she earned her International Pilot’s license in 1921. Back in America, Bessie became an exhibition pilot. She performed incredible stunts, which earned Bessie the nickname, “Brave Bessie.” Though she loved to perform the stunts, Bessie refused to fly for any airshow that did not allow African Americans to attend. Bessie Coleman tragically died in an air accident on April 30, 1926. She has been recognized globally in a variety of ways. She is the only Cass County Pioneer to have her own Barbie doll made in her likeness. She has also been on the backside of the quarter and on a postage stamp.

Jobs in and around Cass County

Deputy District Clerk - Perform clerical duties in support of District Clerk’s Office operations; prepare courtroom and/or other types of legal documentation/ provide customer service to the public. Answer and direct incoming calls, respond to inquiries regarding court processes, filing fees, civil and criminal cases, jury duty, and other court related matters.

Male Jailer - Detention officers provide supervision of inmates at the Cass County Jail including, but not limited to, hourly checks on inmate welfare, distribution of prescribed medications, distribution of meals, pickup and delivery of inmate laundry, supervision of inmate recreation time and searching newly booked and work release inmates.

Deputy Sheriff - Patrols and responds to calls for assistance from the public. Enforces Federal, State, and Local laws. Arrests, transports, and books offenders. Testifies in courts, performs investigation of all reported offenses. Services warrants and civil process. Transports prisoners and other duties as assigned.

Blade Operator - Effectively operate various sizes and models of self propelled motor graders to spread and level dirt, gravel, stone, and other road materials to rough and fine grade specifications in construction and maintenance of county roads.

Licensed Vocational Nurse - Community Health-Core-Atlanta: he LVN serves as a clinical member of Crisis Stabilization Unit treatment team. The LVN is responsible for using the nursing process to meet the needs of clients according to the professional standards of nursing care.

Registered Nurse - Community HealthCore-Atlanta: Under the general direction of the Director of Nursing (DON) and the RCSU RN Nurse Manager is responsible for utilizing the nursing process to meet the needs of patients in the Rapid Crisis Stabilization Unit (RCSU) (involuntary extended observation unit and voluntary crisis residential unit) according to the professional standards of nursing care.

Cass County Property Fraud Alert Program Cass County Property Fraud Alert Program notifies landowners of actions filed that impact their property title at the County Clerk’s Office. Click the button to sign up. It’s free!

Reach out to my office — P.O. Box 825 Linden, TX 75563 Phone: 903-756-5181, Ext. 0 Fax: 903-756-5732